Following a bidding process open to more than 300 institutions offering automotive training in the UK, ten 'pathfinder' centres have been selected to receive significant assistance from an industry consortium that includes:

• the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the retail motor sector's professional association and major awarding body;
• bluecycle, the UK's largest on-line auto salvage auction specialist;
• Snap-on, a global leader in tools and vehicle diagnostic equipment;
• Autodata, the foremost publisher and supplier of automotive technical information in Europe.

Recognising the challenges faced by the FE sector in funding investment in facilities, products, and vehicles, the chosen centres will receive a complimentary package of support over the next three years. All centers are approved by the IMI to deliver national qualifications. The support package includes the provision of vehicles, Snap-on diagnostic equipment, access to technical data, and comprehensive training for the lecturer staff both off-site and complemented by visits from Snap-on's technical support team.


In return, the initiative will require participating centres to promote their involvement to local industry, careers offices, and schools as part of the IMI's "Proud to Be Professional" campaign. It was launched last year to step up efforts to attract high-calibre students to the benefits of a vocational apprenticeship as a credible and rewarding alternative to university. The campaign also challenges outdated public perceptions of the motor sector. This is done by stressing the progress being made by the industry to promote and recognise competence and ethical behaviour, which is championed by the IMI and endorsed by the participating stakeholders.


Research conducted by the Learning and Skills Council reveals vacancies in the retail motor sector totalling some 11,500, the majority of which are for skilled technicians. Advanced systems, similar to those found in state-of-the-art fighter aircraft, are increasingly commonplace in new cars, demanding extreme proficiency of technicians in electronics and diagnostics. The new scheme will enable students and staff to gain in-depth experience of a variety of current production models.


Commenting on the launch of the new initiative, Sarah Sillars, Chief Executive of IMI, said, "With rapid vehicle evolution, a shifting retail landscape and intense scrutiny from consumer groups, a robust and respected retail motor sector of the future will depend on equipping people with a whole new range of advanced skills. Also important is that these people must understand the importance of ethics. The further education sector has a huge part to play in this ambition, and this unique initiative aims to make a difference on a number of different levels. We look forward to monitoring its progress."


Terry Smith, European Marketing Manager, Snap-on Diagnostics, commented, "Snap-on has a sincere belief and a clear vision that by working together with other key businesses, we can make a difference in how we train new and existing technicians to deal with the latest technology used in the motor vehicles of today and those of the future. By supporting professional accreditation standards like ATA, we believe we can help to improve the public's perception of the UK motor industry."


Piers Wilson, Head of Market Development, bluecycle, added, "bluecycle is always looking for innovative ways to support the motor industry, so we are delighted to be working with industry leaders to equip the motor technicians of the future with the skills to offer a full service to motor consumers."


Stephen Ellis, Lecturer in automotive engineering at West Cheshire College, one of the ten selected centres, said, "Having state-of-the-art vehicles and electronic equipment in a classroom environment will equip our students with the most up-to-date training in a modern and challenging environment so that they are better prepared for the working world."


"Our involvement in this scheme will drive up the standard of technicians available to local employers, and we hope it will also attract new and mature students into vocational education and the growing field of automotive electronics," continued Mr Ellis.


Tony Swiatek, Managing Director, Autodata, concluded: "We think this is an excellent scheme and are delighted to be assisting with raising the standard of technician training in the UK. It is vital that our young technicians understand the importance of using accurate data when undertaking any automotive repair or replacement task. With this country becoming increasingly litigious and consumer laws being continuously tightened, workshop staff need to be trained from the start to do jobs to the required standard every time."